Whether you're planning to become one of the 6 million American women who become pregnant each year or already are pregnant, the healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child.

Planning your pregnancies

Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancy.

When you’re ready to welcome a child into the world, experts recommend you take these steps, before you try to conceive, to help ensure you'll have a safe delivery and a healthy baby:

See a doctor or certified nurse-midwife for a pre-pregnancy exam that includes a pelvic exam, a pap smear, a review of your medical and family history, vaccinations you may need, medications and herbs you take, any past pregnancies you've had, your diet and lifestyle, and, if needed, screening for genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs Disease, and sickle cell disease.